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Updated: Sep 27, 2026
A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Molecular characterization of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core region in HCV-infected Thai blood donors
A Theamboonlers1, T Chinchai, K Bedi
1Viral Hepatitis Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Insights
This study identified Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Thai blood donors, finding subtypes 3a, 1a, 6a, 1b, and 3b. Further research is needed to understand HCV distribution across diverse populations and regions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding HCV genotype distribution is crucial for effective treatment and public health strategies.
- Previous data on HCV genotypes in Thailand, particularly among blood donors, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and subtypes in a cohort of Thai blood donors.
- To utilize phylogenetic analysis of the HCV core region for accurate genotype and subtype identification.
- To establish a baseline for HCV epidemiology in Thailand and inform future public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core gene region was employed.
- Nucleotide sequencing was performed on HCV RNA extracted from anti-HCV positive plasma samples.
- Samples were randomly selected from blood donors in Thailand, with 77 successfully sequenced.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detected in 90% of anti-HCV positive samples.
- The identified HCV genotypes and subtypes included 3a (37.7%), 1a (20.8%), 6a (16.9%), 1b (18.2%), and 3b (6.5%).
- Phylogenetic analysis successfully distinguished between HCV genotypes 1-6 and their subtypes.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified and characterized prevalent Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and subtypes in Thai blood donors.
- The findings highlight the importance of molecular epidemiology in understanding viral distribution.
- Further extensive studies are recommended to explore HCV distribution in other populations and regions and for clinical and epidemiological purposes.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the distribution of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Thailand, we performed phylogenetic analysis based on the virus core region and in this way we identified and reliably distinguished HCV genotypes 1-6 as well as subtypes. Among 100 plasma samples randomly selected from blood donors positive for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) 90 (90%) were found positive for HCV RNA and 77 of them were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. The following types and subtypes were identified in this group: 1a in 16 samples (20.8%), 1b in 14 samples (18.2%), 3a in 29 samples (37.7%), 3b in 5 samples (6.5%), and 6a in 13 samples (16.9%). Although this study allowed identification and characterization of HCV among blood donors, more extensive studies are needed to explore the HCV distribution in other population groups and in other geographical regions and to exploit the virus core-based characterization of HCV for evaluation of treatment and clinical outcome and epidemiological purposes.
